I could not have been more excited about The Taming of Elizabeth when I heard of it because The Taming of the Shrew is my favorite work from Shakespeare and I have loved all adaptations I’ve seen of it. I always saw similarities between Elizabeth and Katherine and I certainly could picture Darcy as Petruchio, so a mash up of Taming of the Shrew with Pride and Prejudice sounded quite interesting and the perfect plot!

I wasn’t wrong about that and the premise is indeed very appealing but Darcy wasn’t as similar to Petruchio as I was expecting, and even if he was the reason why Elizabeth ended up moderating her behavior, he didn’t take an active part in that change. I thought I would see a stronger and more stubborn Darcy who would stand up against Elizabeth’s wild spirit in the hopes of taming her, but instead he was very caring and accepting of Elizabeth’s shenanigans. In fact, he was more like Darcy then Petruchio, so I think most of my readers will love that aspect, but I think the author missed an opportunity by not making him more like Petruchio.

Elizabeth’s character may be controversial in this book because she does tend to overreact and get a little aggressive but I was not affected by that and if I had to choose a favorite aspect from this book it would be Elizabeth’s character. We often see authors describing Elizabeth’s wit and narrating how Darcy fell in love with her because of that, but Cinnamon Worth did what very few are able to do, she actually made Elizabeth witty! The author doesn’t describe this aspect of her personality, she shows it to the reader through Elizabeth’s thinking, through her speech and through her actions. Elizabeth really demonstrates she has an analytical thinking by paying attention to details and taking elations based on those observations and I really loved this in the book.

In The Taming of Elizabeth we can see why the characters are falling in love with one another, it’s a feeling based on respect and I would have loved it even more if we had more interactions between these two characters. That would enhance our reading experience and make us even more involved with the romance. Another aspect I enjoyed was the cleverness with which the author created the misunderstandings that ultimately lead to the HEA, they are believable and mature.

It was also interesting to see Elizabeth as the oldest sister, I didn’t think about that detail before reading the book, but the twist was as necessary as it was fresh. Also there are several humourous moments in the book that made it an agreeable and light story. It is not novella size, but it is not very long so you will be able to read it in one day, especially because it is very fast paced and engaging. I recommend it for readers looking for something a little different from the usual variations 🙂

Because it’s Christmas time Cinnamon Worth would like to offer my readers not only two copies of The Taming of Elizabeth, but also three copies of any of her other books. The winners will be able to choose the book they would like to receive and if you don’t know what other books she has released, you can find that information below 🙂 Read the blurbs, look at the covers and let us know which one you would rather receive on this giveaway and why. All comments will get an entrance in the giveaway which is international and open until the end of the year. The winners will be announced in the beginning of 2019 🙂

Below you can also see information about Betrothals & Betrayals which will be released in January but that is already in pre-sale on Amazon. You can also choose that book to be sent to you once it comes out, so don’t forget to check it as well 🙂

Blurb: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice meets Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. The Bennets’ first born child, Elizabeth Bennet, was overindulged and had no role model to guide her in controlling her temper. Now she has gained quite the reputation. Mr. Bennet must to go to extreme means to force his eldest to consider love. But with Elizabeth’s history, who would consider approaching her?

Blurb: A witty and cleverly crafted Pride and Prejudice Variation, Absurdities and Assumptions retells the story of the courtship between Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy. This classic couple’s romance is shaken off course when, shortly after leaving Hertfordshire, Darcy receives word that one of the Bennet sisters is engaged to the obsequious Mr. Collins. Darcy, a rich and powerful landowner, knows that Elizabeth is not a suitable match but, having already lost the battle with Cupid, he finds himself rushing back to the countryside. He is relieved to discover that it is Mary Bennet who is destined to become Mrs. Collins. But his path to happiness is still far from assured. Darcy may have resolved his internal struggle to accept Elizabeth’s as she is, but he must now overcome a rival and his own inability to interpret events around him. Read as all of Jane Austen’s favorite characters overcome hilarious misunderstandings and mishaps. Assumptions and Absurdities is a Regency Romance sure to entertain.

Blurb: Charles Dickens meets Jane Austen in this retelling of the historical classic, Pride and Prejudice. Jane and Elizabeth Bennet are daughters of a country squire hoping to find love. Charles Bingley and Fitzwilliam Darcy are best friends and two of the most eligible bachelors to have visited the small town of Meryton in years. While this quartet struggles to find happiness and romance within the confines of Regency Era England, those who serve them struggle to survive. All the while, an evil sociopath lurks in the shadows impacting all those with whom he comes in contact. How those spared from this destructive force react to those who are less fortunate will reveal the virtuous from the apathetic. A portrait of the dichotomy between the wealthy and the poor, Courtship and Corruption, paints life using every available shade of emotional color.

Blurb: A sweet, Regency era romance, Deception & Debauchery, is a variation of Pride and Prejudice, the classic Jane Austen novel – George Wickham, a widower with a penchant for gambling, women and alcohol, has recently gained his freedom and fortune. In an effort to gain respectability, he intends to acquire a country estate in Hertfordshire. He soon finds himself enamored with Elizabeth Bennet and developing a friendship with Charles Bingley, two people who are very important to his childhood rival, Fitzwilliam Darcy. When Darcy discovers that Wickham is worming his way into the lives of those in Hertfordshire, he will go to shocking lengths to protect them.

Blurb: A Pride and Prejudice variation, set primarily in Derbyshire, this Regency Era romance explores how the destiny of Jane Austen’s characters will be fulfilled even when all of the odds are stacked against them.

After a mysterious accident leads to their father’s death, the future for the Bennet girls seems bleak. Elizabeth Bennet finds work in Ramsgate, and one blustery morning, chance brings her together with Georgiana Darcy, a young, wealthy, orphaned girl. When Elizabeth saves her new friend from ruin, she sets off a course of events that alters not only her own life, but the lives of those she cherishes.

Fitzwilliam Darcy was looking for a wife, not love. He had everything he needed to be happy. A wife would provide him with a heir, and if he was lucky, she would not interfere too greatly in his life. Then, fate put Elizabeth Bennet in his path — destroying his tranquility. Now, in addition to trying to find a bride, he must deal with a stubborn, impertinent, troublemaker who doesn’t seem to understand her place. Will Elizabeth destroy his chance at happiness, or will she be making of it?

Oh-My-Goodness! What a delightful review. I once saw a play based on a variation on ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ theme. It was set in a western town. That was very different. I never considered P&P in that mash-up. This should be fun. Thanks for hosting, Rita. And, thanks to our author for the generous giveaway. I love these Christmas giveaways. It is like receiving a gift from the author. Blessings, and have a Happy Holidays, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.

It’s becoming harder and harder to keep up with all the P&P variations out there isn’t it Sophia? Sometimes I wonder how authors are able to advertise their work with so much competition, but this premise caught my attention from day one 🙂
Merry Christmas to you too Sophia 🙂

Great review Rita! I have Ms. Worth’s first book on my TBR pile and hope to read it sometime in the New Year! I just saw her latest and that looks intriguing too! So many books…so little time!!! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

What a great review. The Taming of Elizabeth sounds interesting. Loved the movie Taming of the Shew with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton growing up as a teenager. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

Oh wowwwwww! Taming of the Shrew is my favorite Shakespeare work as well, so this sounds amazing 🙂 And I too love the old Burton/Taylor movie, it was just epic. I also love the movie 10 Things I Hate About You with Heath Ledger. I also really like the sound of the Dickens adaptation, those both appeal greatly to me. Thank you for the contest, I would love to win, but will be adding these to my wish list either way 😀 Merry Christmas! Erika Messer, hopefuldelights1 (at) yahoo (dot) com is my main email 🙂 Thanks!

Great review Rita! And yet another author to add to my list! How I’m ever going to read all theee books I have no idea.
I am embarrassed to admit that I have never read The Taming of the Shrew but I have seen a film based on it, I think it’s called 10 Things I hate Anout You.
I’m sure I would enjoy this book and will definitely check this and her other books out so thanks again for the review and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Oops, the rest of my comment went missing, sorry! (Troubles of smartphone writing, I guess)

Having the Bard and a Lady meet seems like the perfect encounter, with their wits and talents promising good time – so I am quite sure I will enjoy the Taming of Elisabeth quite a bit!
Happy Holidays, everyone!

Pride and Prejudice vs. Taming of the shrew = What a great mash up! I am really excited to see the outcome. Saw the old movie and a couple of adaptations and it never gets old. Thanks Rita for another great giveway and review 😊

Thank you for the review. I have added this book to my wish list, but the book that most entices me is Assumptions and Absurdities as the humor would be a good distraction from things. Thank you for your generosity.

I have read the other books but not The Taming of Elizabeth. It sounds like a wonderful mash up of The Taming of the Shew. I would also enjoy receiving Betrothals and Betrayals when it is released. Thank you for this wonderful way to beging 2019’s reading!

I like the premise of the story. I would prefer that you include a general plot of the novel without giving too much away especially for readers like me who have not read The Taming of the Shrew. But that’s just me.

If I were to win, either The Taming of Elizabeth, Courtships & Corruption or Betrothals & Betrayals as I believe I don’t have these 3 books yet. Thank you for the giveaway, Ms Worth.

I enjoyed the review! So many interesting books to choose from. It’s hard to pick just one! I do own one of the choices, so that helped narrow the field down a little. I’ll choose “Assumptions & Absurdities” if I happen to be the lucky winner. Thanks for the nice giveaway!